NYMT/BYMT 2026

[doesanybodyhaveamap]

So with the big reveal of the 50th anniversary programme it feels like a good time to start the 2026 chat!

Here we go again 🥳🥳🥳

Hi, DD auditioning as a musician next Saturday.
I've previously driven to Chiswick for the Arts Ed location, and was able to park as it was Sunday. Any idea what Saturday parking / traffic is like? Maybe she's better getting train+tube.

Thanks in advance

Assuming you are going to Mountview we parked in the Morrisons car park via the Just Park app - £7 all day. I left the car there and then got train from Peckham Rye into central
London whilst DD was at audition. I think there is probably more on street parking available on Sundays but in Morrisons there are at least CCTV cameras etc.

I don't know about Mountview, it's the Arts Ed building on Bath Road in Chiswick. Thanks though!

Thanks everyone for your support. I think this should be my final post, as I seem to have accidentally derailed the thread!

@yodaforpresident “Letting others take centre stage” could also apply in small group acting or the dance audition. I have no idea if that’s why she didn’t get through, it’s just a guess. Anything could have gone wrong on the day, or perhaps they shortlist a fixed quota from each venue and she auditioned at one of the most competitive venues. It’s also quite possible she genuinely isn’t as good as the other girls her age who got callbacks. There’s no way I can know what the reason was.

@Wigeon Your advice has been very helpful. It’s good to know that the courses are high quality, there’s an opportunity for participants to receive detailed feedback from their own NYMT audition, rather than just general audition tips, and that impressing the course leaders will raise the DC’s profile within NYMT and sometimes even open up opportunities to take part in a production or workshop the same year if someone else drops out.

@Ubertomusic Neither of us has strong feelings about the rejection and neither of us feels she’s a failure. There are lots of other holiday productions available, both nationally and locally, and we both know she’s extremely talented.

I’m annoyed that I paid £55 for an audition which took a full day out of our very busy schedule and the only feedback we received was “You’re not good enough”.

The exact wording was: “Our creative teams take great care to make sure that what we offer you is right for you at this moment in your development. We are now pleased to invite you to one of our Skills workshops.”

Lliterally “You’re not good enough to be in a production or new musical workshop currently and need to improve your skills.”

There’s no room for interpreting this as “You’re very talented, but just not quite the casting type we’re looking for this year.”

Also, the email was sent out before the final audition day, reinforcing the “You’re not good enough” message, rather than letting DD believe she could have been on the shortlist for callbacks, but just didn’t quite make the final cut once all the auditions had taken place.

I’m not questioning the decision not to cast DD, and of course all the DC need to improve their skills, including those who are cast. It’s just that after paying £55 to attend an all day audition the least I would expect is a short line of feedback, eg “Singing and dance great, need to take more risks when acting.”

Finally, I totally understand DD’s concerns about attending a skills course she only has access to because she failed an audition. At her age (early teens), she would find this public acknowledgment of her failure very embarrassing and difficult to come to terms with, even if it’s a worthwhile course.

No more replies please, as I won’t be checking this thread again until next year!

Weekend parking is available (no charge) in the roads around Arts Ed. DS is currently a student there and we have never had an issue parking at the weekend when we visit

@GingerbreadHouse84 we really don't view the skills course as a consolation prize - nor a wooden spoon, and I must admit reading that comment wasn't especially nice for me when my child was offered the same. However, I also know how it feels when those who experience success talk to you about why you shouldn't feel negatively about your position. It's utterly pants. (I'm not having a go at anyone here; we have to be mindful of how our experiences influence how we read advice and guidance.)

What I want to say is, whilst I have no experience of NYMT aside from the audition process, I want to explain why we are excited about the skills workshop and do not see it as a consolation prize, nor a cash grab affair.

I have spent a lot of time reading around all these summer intensive experiences for under 18s. We have attended a couple. Based on our experiences, none were concerned with ongoing training - they all provided a good, well-supported MT/dance experience for a few days with good pastoral support if/when needed. It is fun. But unless your child is stand out and being picked for a scholarship, then the staff don't really remember them - why should they, these kids leave after 3-4 days. The courses aren't about fostering long term development, they are a bit of fun and a sort of taster of what life could be doing performing arts all day. They have a value, but for me they are not offering anything much to take away at the end of it in terms of long term training.

So when I scruntinised the NYMT website, other forums and this thread (and the previous years' NYMT threads), I saw something more. The language used by NYMT is all about long term training and development - it is about them investing in those who are invested in a career in musical theatre; and this was reflected in a lot of the comments by parents and/or attendees. It is about inclusivity, and fostering talent and passion. And this is very much why we are excited about the skills workshop. My daughter wants to learn, wants to develop her weaker areas, wants to be with staff and young performers who support one another and can get excited about creating things together. Yes, she wants to improve her audition skills (obviously, she wants to progress to a real stage, she wants to believe she could one day be cast); but she really wants to learn her craft so that she isn't just good at auditions. And we both feel this is what she will get from the skills workshop.

Also, we missed it this year because whilst NYMT has been on my radar for a while, I have had to wait for my DD to be ready, and when she decided to audition, it was December ... but NYMT offer an auditions skill workshop (October) and that is likely also going to be booked for my DD (unless things change).

I know we only have an audition under our belt, and maybe my opinion will change after the skills workshop - only time will tell. I haven't read any experiences about a DC getting nothing but skills workshops - realistically, I probably won't read it, so I have no real way of knowing if they exist, or maybe they thrive elsewhere. Most parents of attendees aren't sharing their experiences, good, bad or ugly ... so I just have to try and trust my DD - if she finds it positive, she will be back; if she finds it 'OK' she may well try others things to compare (like Laine - it's on the back burner for now, great time but she didn't get as much out of it as the older kids); if it isn't for her, she just won't go back at all - and this can be for all manner of reasons: not challenging enough; they had favourites; it was boring; the teachers didn't really explain themselves well enough; or worse, they were not inclusive and dismissive of her needs (we are a neurospicy family).

Perhaps your DD may prefer the October audition workshop? That way she can explore some other options this summer. Good luck, whatever you guys do.

Hi team - how are we all holding up? Me in my infinite wisdom decided to go with a late audition date this year, so have been trying not to think about it all too much but today was the day.

Mountview was super busy today. Loooooads of really talented young people in DD's group. Honestly I have no idea how on earth the creatives will even start to make selections. Now the wait for our results begins.

Feeling like a sorta awful mum for saying this because even though obv I know my DDs skills, and am super proud of her no matter the outcome I just have a feeling in my bones this year isn't her year. Perhaps its because she is firmly in the 14-16 twighlight zone of too old to play down and too young to play up and with no Crescendo project this year I think its going to be an extra competitive age bracket.

Proud mum story of the day though - one of the young people that my DD hadn't even spoken to needed a bit of help picking up the choreography and quietly asked my DD if she would help her run it. Left me feeling warm hearted that DD seemed a friendly enough face for a complete stranger to ask for help. Also shoutout to the other young person for asking and collaborating.

As a family on a very tight budget I have to agree that the workshop days aren't cheap for us, but I also know that the fees barely cover the costs involved of the audition tour, so money makers they are not. (Same with the costs of running the skills workshops) Its great that the workshop is a full day of classes with lots of chance for everyone to really have time to show who they are to the team - not just get up and have 2 minutes of audition cut that may or may not go their way.

Finally this is our fourth audition cycle, and like others on this thread we have had all sorts of results over the years from both BYMT and NYMT - from a flat no, through to workshops new musical workshops, summer camps, ensemble roles, solo roles, the agony of the waitlist, and quite memorably last year not being cast at all through to going on as a cover for one of the leads by the end of year (now that particular one was a roller coaster)

Point I am making is that I have found things really can change so quickly, and you just have to be ready to roll with what comes your way. Now, to try and distract myself until the middle of next week....

Hello old timers - and new!
Interesting debates and chats reading through all this! I was intrigued to see someone comment that the skills courses at other places might be better, because you didn't have to audition (or "fail" at an audition) to get in. For me it's quite the opposite. At all the others, you just pay a price and go. Your child potentially can't sing, dance or act. Maybe they don't even want to but it's convenient childcare. It makes it a very mixed playing field in terms of ability - compare that to one where people have committed to a thorough audition day with pre prep and the need to perform solo in front of a large group - there's your difference. A very talented y12 friend of ours auditioned for the first time this year - and got offered the course for easter. Which she has very happily taken.

For us, it's a recall for WSS this year! If you need me, I shall me overthinking in the biscuits corner about why that one, why not this one and other such nonsense. As is the prerogative of any performer's mother. Child is delighted and would give anything to be cast in that one...

PS @MxPickles what a wonderfully generous soul your daughter is! You are right to be proud of her kindness, I hope it continues to be rewarded xxx

Yay! Congrats to your DC on the recall.

Fingers crossed for your DD! Sounds like she had a good day - let's hope there is good karma around and she is rewarded for helping another young person with the choreography. Totally understand your nerves - I used to hate the waiting for news (especially the year my DS came out and cried and said he thought he had messed up the song) - the mind goes everywhere.
Intrigued to hear your DD ended up stepping in to cover a role last year. For BYMT?

If anyone wants me, I too @allhailthebrain will be overthinking and in the biscuit corner while my DS keeps a cool head and gets on with the hard work at the recalls. Always good to remember what we think as parents doesn’t always correspond with what’s happening behind closed doors for our DC. Although what we hear from them is also something to cherish, such as your DD’s thoughtful attitude @MxPickles All I can say is that my DS is happiest when he’s with a group of young people focusing on the task in hand and this could be in an audition, a skills course or performing in a show. It’s the camaraderie that he loves the most. Everyone he has met at NYMT has been absolutely fantastic and even the niggles get worked through and contribute to their growth as people - which is deeply reassuring as his mum. Of course there’s also the competition but unlike many areas of young people’s lives this is managed beautifully by NYMT by being an extremely inclusive and thoughtful organisation.
And now to the next steps. Good luck everyone! See you all on the other side! 🫣

Hey all, my DD (12) just finished audition yesterday. While I am proud of her making friends and did her best for the whole day, I know there are lots of talents auditioned and she probably not getting any recalls.

I have asked her if should would like to do skills workshop if that's offered and she is happy with that. If anyone DC did the skill workshop before, can you share some experience how that works or what to expect?

We haven’t got direct experience of the skills course, but my DS was on a new musical workshop at the same time as a skills course the year before last, and they shared showcase time at the end of the week which we got to see. The yp all looked as if they had a fantastic time and they put together some lovely performances. It sounded like it was a kind of extended version of the audition day where they all took part in acting, singing and dancing sessions and then worked on some pieces together as a whole group and in smaller groups. They do get to work with some fabulous creatives!

And congrats to your DC @allhailthebrain ! I wonder if they’ll end up together again?

@TheMerryQuoter My DD did a residential skills course last Easter. She had a fantastic time. It was at the private Sevenoaks School, so they stayed in the boarding house accommodation which was very nice. The overall facilities were really nice too. It was jam packed in terms of all the teaching. They learnt I think three or four extracts from various shows and then performed them to the parents on the final day just before we took them home. From my recollection they were a mix of singing things (with some acting and movement) and more movement/dance things (probably with singing as well). Given they'd all been thrown together and only had a few days to rehearse, I was impressed at what they achieved in terms of the performance quality.

DD got on well with a group of girls and generally it sounded like they were very well taken care of. There was a dedicated pastoral team separate from the tutors. The tutors sounded very on it, they did a whole thing about preparing for auditions (in general, not just NYMT) which DD found helpful. She took lots of notes! I also seem to remember that all the students performed a solo song and got feedback, and hearing everyone else's feedback was helpful to DD, as well as her own feedback.

Here is the example schedule they sent us in advance

For those expecting feedback- NYMT said in a Q and A session prior to the auditions that they cannot offer feedback. This would be the reality when going for professional castings as well.

Well that was a long few days but results emails from Sunday (and I assume Saturday) have arrived this morning

DD is heading back for the Just So casting workshop which is exactly the show we had pinned our hopes on getting (as she reads too old to be a ragged child and too young for an older teen)

Sending all the best to others opening their results emails this morning.

Hi All,

Just saying hello and wondering if anyone else is waiting on BYMT results? DD has done BYMT and NYMT before but this year has just decided on BYMT.

She's a member of NYC and so the Easter residential for that clashes with the NYMT Easter rehearsals (I would also be completely broke if she did them all!).

Just commenting to see if anyone has heard about summer BYMT shows and in the hopes that others will mention if/when they hear.

Nervously waiting and also wanting to sort out our own summer hols when we hear!

Not heard anything yet - as your DD has done BYMT before you probably already know its a longer wait! I'll expand a bit for anyone else who may not have been through the audition cycle before and landed here looking for an answer :)

BYMT release all of their offers after all of the nationwide auditons - so if you are an early audition date you can have a long wait!

The final BYMT auditions were last weekend (with an overflow online for international auditionees this week) so everyones results should be coming through from BYMT soon - I would guess in the next 10 days or so?

Last year BYMT sent their first stage offers out in Feb half term. Its impossible to say for certain but I am thinking this year may be similar?

I cant find details of the project dates on the BYMT website, but their Instagram recently confirmed the 2026 season (red are shows, yellow are camps)

Relpying to myself so the information is all on the thread... dates and venues for BYMT shows (found them after I posted above!)

The Cottingley Fairies: Birmingham Hippodrome, 10–12 April.
The Clockmaker’s City: Manchester, 31 July – 2 August.
Technical Difficulties: Hull, 7–8 August.
Paper Stars: Exeter, 14–16 August.
Sea Change: Birmingham, 28–30 August.
Frankenstein: London, 28–30 August.

Thanks @MxPickles Do you know how quickly BYMT offers (if received!) need to be accepted and deposits paid etc

Congratulations to your DD. Fab news!

I thought I might be a little early and yes agree - I think we heard Feb half term last year. I think we heard from BYMT a few days before NYMT. Hopefully soon though!

I hadn't realised there were still online auditions to go. Fingers crossed it will be soon after that!

I think you have 2 weeks to accept or decline an offer from BYMT after which point they will release your offer to the waitlist.

If you needed a few days grace due to timing (e.g deadline is 27th and payday is 30th) they would probably be open to a conversation though as they do try very hard to make sure everyone offered can take up their place :)

In terms of payment for BYMT I dont think it all has to be paid at once (unless the Easter Show) its usually a deposit then a balance in the month ahead of the actual show.

And yes, last year the BYMT offers landed on the first day of the NYMT recalls 😮

Thank you - super helpful! 🥰